Special First Day of Homeschool Ideas and Traditions
First Day of Homeschool Ideas
Starting homeschool is so exciting but, especially as a first time homeschool mama, it can be hard to let go of the nostalgia of sending your kids off to school and the traditions that we may have grown up with.
That’s when I got to talking with Bethany and she started listing some super fun and cute ideas to make the first day even more exciting than what I could have pictured! We’re going to share those with you today.
This year we are starting homeschool for the very first time. My oldest is beginning kindergarten and I have all the feels over here!
I wanted it to be special and memorable and not just a let’s-sit-down-and-do-lessons-today kind of thing. Bethany jumped in with not only some great ideas, but the excitement and passion surrounding the joys and benefits of homeschool. The very reasons we decided to do this to begin with.
I’ll let her introduce herself and we’ll jump right in!
Hi guys! My name is Bethany and I had my first day of homeschooling my 3 kiddos over 5 years ago now. I clearly remember the summer our family made the decision to begin homeschooling. My kids were entering 9th, 6th, and 3rd grades, so our situation was unique. We knew what a first day of public school send off was like and were greatly anticipating the slowed down pace that intentionally educating at home would bring.
Even though I felt a clear and compelling call from the Lord to make this switch for our family, I won’t pretend I didn’t worry and feel concern over how they were feeling about the choice we made. I remember putting a ton of pressure on myself on the first day to make this as good as it was for them in public school.
Beginnings are beautiful, full of excitement, anticipation, and to be honest a lot of nerves! It’s to be expected and honestly those feelings are often the motivation we need to make a big change and start the new thing whatever it may be. *Add a quick inspiration?
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First Day of Homeschool Ideas to Make it Memorable & Special
1. A Fun First Day Tablecloth
I saw this idea from a few other bloggers and found this super cute alphabet tablecloth. I didn’t want a plastic one that would tear easily, so I got this washable one. You can do all sorts of different things, depending what your kids like. On Amazon, just search school themed tablecloth or polka dot tablecloth or dinosaur tablecloth – whatever fits your kids best!
We set the table and made it look fun and pretty to kick off the year. And now I’m excited to pull this tablecloth out for other fun days too.
2. Traditional First Day of School Picture
This is such an iconic tradition. Whether it’s on the porch, at the end of the driveway with the neighborhood kids, around your dining table, with a cute sign or not- the first day of school pic spans all types of education and is so fun! I have loved looking back over all our first day of school pics to see and celebrate the growth and maturity each first day picture exhibits!
I (Nicole) also loved adding in one of the traditional first day of school signs. I found this chalkboard sign on Amazon for a good price and they can be reused every year!
3. First Day of School Baskets
Bethany suggested this idea to me and I loved it. I am one who loves putting together little baskets and gifts for my kids so it was fun to be able to put together a fun basket of school supplies and notebooks and curriculum books. I made one for my preschooler too so he could be included.
For each basket I included 2 spiral notebooks and found some cheap supplies at Target like colored pencils, markers, a flexible ruler and a folder. I also added a few juice boxes to make it fun and a little educational game from Target. I also found super cute pencil plates that we used for lunch the first day!
The boys loved the baskets and their fun goodies. They use one of their notebooks by their bed for quiet time drawing or drawing before bed and the other stays with their basket. We also love having the folder as a place to keep their drawings or creations. And the game was a fun thing to add to our morning!
4. Bake (or Buy!) a Special Treat to Eat
I asked my kids if there was a tradition that they loved that we did on the first day of school and my 2 oldest both mentioned the special baked good or treats!
I remember spending their first days the years they were in public school often distracting myself by baking them an afterschool snack. I also spent most of the day thinking and praying for them. I will say that changed once we began homeschooling. Now their dad brings home donuts or slushies on the first day for the students and teacher! 😉 And now I get to spend the day thinking, praying, and talking with them!
I loved this fun idea and decided to put a special twist on our normal breakfast for our first day!
5. Freshen Up the School Space
It never fails that by the end of our school year we’ve left the schoolroom behind, and have settled into a couch or chair to finish out the year. I often spend the summer gathering the school stuff thats made its way around the house back to the schoolroom to organize and start fresh. As a little girl, I remember loving the first day, brand new feeling of those bulletin boards, posters and decorations. So to kick off the new school year, I usually find myself adding something new and fresh to our space. It’s been as simple as a banner or poster for something we are learning that term and as big as rearranging the furniture in a new layout in our schoolroom!
6. Always Include Younger Siblings
The age span of my kids is 6.5 years so each first day of school picture has a little sister + little brother in it too! It’s the sweetest to see the progression each year! That little sib is usually pretty proud of his or her new backpack, new sneakers, and their own special set of crayons or markers.
Excitement is contagious and creating a space where learning is fun and to someday be “big enough” to do is incredibly motivating. Having a coloring book that’s all their own, flash cards to look at or beads or supplies to craft with gives them a sense of involvement in their big brother or sister’s first day!
7. Decorated Clipboards
The first year we homeschooled I was pleasantly surprised + slightly horrified at the amount of school supplies our household contained once we got it all organized and in one place. In the years since I have only added supplies that we absolutely needed. Which means I’ve tried to be creative when kicking off a new school year.
This year I am planning to customize the clipboards my kids will use for loose papers! I’m going to print some pictures, add some stickers and seal it all with clear contact paper. Easy, inexpensive, doesn’t unnecessarily add any clutter, and I hope it will be meaningful to my kids!
A Note on Traditions
The Back to School tradition doesn’t need to mean spending a ton of money or running out to buy school supplies when let’s be honest our house is already full of crayons, markers and half used notebooks. Your back to school tradition is special because it is unique to you! We hope you are inspired by the list above to make it work for your family!
No matter the direction your family is taking as we approach this upcoming school year it’s bound to contain some worries or concerns as a mom! More often than not on that first day, I was smiling on the outside for their benefit, while crying on the inside as I sent them off on the bus. I was planning and creating to make their first day of school at home special, while deep inside I was talking myself off the ledge of quitting because I was feeling so incapable and unqualified.
The truth is as moms our kids are often looking to us, to our faces, to our actions, and we set the tone. I’ve come to realize sometimes I do all the planning and begin the traditions so I have something to look forward to. These plans are an act of love, a foundation to be built on and something to look back one day and realize- we did this.
There’s no greater joy for me than when my kids say “remember that time…”
A Prayer for the First Day of Homeschool
As I (Nicole) am beginning my very first year of homeschool, I wanted to share the prayer that is on my heart with you. I hope it blesses you as you seek to follow the Lord in this journey!
Lord, I thank you for this opportunity to begin the homeschool journey with my children. I pray that You would bless our homeschool, as we start and over the upcoming years. I ask that Your Spirit would guide me and give me wisdom to see the relationships you are forming and the discipling opportunities first and above all else. I also ask for guidance in teaching my children to love learning and to grow in their skills. I pray in, Jesus Name, for a hedge of protection around our homeschool time and that Your presence would be keenly felt. Protect us from any warfare or enemy attacks to derail us from Your plan and purposes. I ask for strength and peace for each day that we homeschool. Give us Your eyes and Your heart as we walk out this journey. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Bethany sent me this text on our first day: “Praying for you, that relationship and excitement will win out over any expectations of ‘how it should be or go. Soak it up and be encouraged. You can and are doing the Lord’s work.'”
What lens and I looking through as I begin my day? I could hope that each thing goes as planned and each lesson is completed perfectly or I could remember to cherish the true reason behind why we decided to homeschool.
It is the perfect encouragement and I hope that you take that reminder along with you this year, too.
Meet Bethany
Bethany is the owner and founder of Found in You. What began as a retail business of refinishing old furniture and used home decor in a downtown shop in her hometown, has now become an online ministry of encouragement for those looking to deepen their faith.
Bethany lives on a small farm in Pennsylvania, homesteading with her husband and children. She writes about looking for God’s threads in the everyday, ordinary life + anticipating God’s abundance in all seasons. Allowing the Lord to renew and make all things new in her home, marriage, motherhood, and faith is the heart behind and foundation of her ministry. Connect with Bethany on Instagram and at her website foundinyou.org
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